Why Don't They Reveal the Timeline?

[Caleb, Of Asui]

I know Nintendo has said before in some interview that they have a document on their computers detailing the official Zelda timeline. They know fans spend a lot of energy trying to figure it out - it's all over the internet! So, why haven't they released an official timeline? What do you think? (Or know?)

[sign of table]

I personally hope they don't.

They tell us and I'm out of one of my favorite hobbies...

[zeldatwilight]

I hope they dont. It would suck if they did, becasue all of this thinking everyones been doing would be put down the drain when it is released. but then again, it would be interesting to see what the actual timeline is for sure.

[Zeruda]

You have to keep in mind that the little things about Zelda, such as philosophy, shippings, timeline theories, etc. have quite a big impact on the series and its sales. These things strengthen the fandom and keep interest in the games piqued between releases.

The timeline debate is most definitely one of the largest, most detailed parts of the series. An entire legend has been and is still being developed over 20 years, and as more games come out, places have to be found to put these games. They do have a master document of the timeline, but it probably changes as time progresses. It's not like they have every new game planned out 10 years ahead of time. More games will be added, some taking place before previous games, some taking place after them.

Giving us an exact timeline for the games that are out right now would be nice and enlightening, but it'd put a halt to the debate. The timeline is a huge part of what keeps the series popular and thriving, and if we no longer have a reason to debate it, that's a huge chunk of the fandom thrown out the window.

It's easier to just let the fans debate the timeline, continuously piquing interest in the series, and ultimately leading to more sales. It's not only a way to allow us to really enjoy the series, but it's also a pretty smart marketing technique.

[Zemen]

Many people actually prefer them not to have a set timeline. I agree with this statement because it leaves endless possibilities. The only reason that I like that they say they have a set timeline is because it keeps us wondering. If they said there is no set timeline I would be less interested. It would be useless to try and theorize one if they say that one doesn't exist. The fact that they say there is one, whether it's true or not, is what keeps me interested. It's like figuring out a puzzle. If there is no solution then there is no point.

[Shadsie]

I agree with Zeruda here. I think what they have is a "rough" or amorphous timeline - one that changes with every new game they decide to create. I think they have a rough idea of where some of the already released games fit - then the rest they figure out. Speaking as a wannabe writer, it's like any work-in-progress - you'll have your basic outline of your project/history/storyline - then you'll change things as needed. I do think they have something, but it's more rough, not strict and they probably do not want to reveal it to the public because their cash cow franchise is still making them money and has not ended. If they revealed it, then created a new game after that and weren't quite sure at the time where, exactly, they were going to place it, they'd look silly - so it's best to keep everything mysterious.

[Erimgard]

Because the timeline changes over time.
Ya think Miyamoto had the Split in mind when he released LoZ in 1986?

[Caleb, Of Asui]

It's not only a way to allow us to really enjoy the series, but it's also a pretty smart marketing technique.

Wow, I've never thought of it as a marketing technique. :hmm: It seems like a lot of the newer Zelda game have revealed more about the timeline. Nintendo has told us the order that the 3d games go in, too. Spirit Tracks doesn't come out until probably the end of the year, and we already know it takes place hundreds of years after Phantom Hourglass, on that side of the timeline. Many of the events of newer games seem to explain more as well, such as the fact that the Triforce is split in Twilight Princess, suggesting that The Legend of Zelda is the next game in chronology, being the only other game to start with the Triforce already split (besides The Wind Waker, which is on the other side of the timeline).

[angelkid]

Yeah, it is a marketing technique designed to ensure that Zelda games can be produced again and again. It means they can never run out of placements. If Nintendo were to release an official time line, they would have some serious difficulty releasing more games as they wouldn't be able to do what they do now. 'Hmmmm... We've made this game without once thinking about where it goes. lets just move around all the others to make it make sense.' Or 'Hmmmmm... not sure where to put this. I know! 100 years in the future!'

Personally, I don't believe Nintendo has a time line. Know why? It's because I don't think there is one. Its all theory and its all subject to change due to whatever Nintendo decide to do in the next game. Us fans can make as many time lines as we want, but for all we know, after the next game Nintendo could announce that MC is set in 3000 ad, and that OoT doesn't exist it was all Zelda's wet dream or something like that.

[theblackwolfos]

the manga's I am sure that those are the official timeline.

[HeroofAges]

I am pretty sure that the mangas are not considered canon because the events do very at time from the games.

[MrMosley]

the manga's I am sure that those are the official timeline.

The mangas have been proven to be non canon. Just by reading them and playing the games they are based on makes that pretty obvious.

As far as the actual timeline goes, I agree with what most people have said here. It is a good marketing tool that I believe was not done on purpose, but by chance. Having the fans so interested in the timeline makes them want to play any new game that comes out, try to place it, think about it for a while, play the game again, play the other games again to try to find more connections, etc.

Aside from that, the main reason I think is because it leaves Nintendo open to do what they want to do anyway, which is make the games fun and entertaining. If they released a timeline, then they would have to worry more about placing the game than its mechanics, and that goes against Miyamoto's wishes for the series. I don't think they are afraid to release it because between Miyamoto and Aonuma various information has been given towards the timeline. I just believe that, to them, it is of lesser importance than it is to the fans.

[Durion]

I think they want people to try and figure it out, It means that they will most likely buy older games and stuff to play them so they help themselves get a better Theory. Firstly it gets Nintendo more money and also I prefer it like that, It means that you have to really think about the games and connections, Infact, This idea of them doing it so that more people buy their consoles and games is working, I really want to try and get all the games I can and play through them so I can come up with a Theory.

[Megamannt125]

I do believe Nintendo said before it's because they want to focus on the games themselves rather than the timeline, as for them releasing it, I think it'd be best to keep it a secret unless they decide to end the series.

[zzRICHzz]

before i even heard of a "timeline" i always looked at each game as its own game in its own world with its own unuiqe style and its own unique feel (with the exception of direct sequals that is)

like the same story was just being told in different ways

now i feel like i'm enjoying each game less and less because maybe the developers feel like the games need to be connected in a "special way" where the story for each game needs to be the back story for another game. all because the fans want it that way. although i do enjoy speculating and viewing others' theories, i am very content with the thought that the games are different worlds from eachother.

i hate to sound so negative in this post... but i promise this is the only thing i don't like about the timeline(s)

to make up for what i have posted, i would like to let you all know that it is because of the different theories that i am actually playing through the games over again... i have been very motivated and am having a lot of fun :)

[MrMosley]

before i even heard of a "timeline" i always looked at each game as its own game in its own world with its own unuiqe style and its own unique feel (with the exception of direct sequals that is)

like the same story was just being told in different ways

That's actually what I used to believe; Link saves Zelda from Ganon, told different ways.

But when you think about it, there was always some sort of timeline established from the beginning. You had LoZ first, then AoL was its direct sequel. Then comes ALttP, which said right on the back of the box that it was about the "predecessors of Link and Zelda", so it went way before ALttP. Then OoT was supposed to be the first story, taking place even before ALttP and at the time could be easily based on ALttP's backstory. Yet a lot of people seem to think that the whole timeline issue started with OoT, when it split. It surely made things even more confusing, but it wasn't the first instance of the timeline.

[zzRICHzz]

so it looks like they are telling the stories backwards in relevance to each other, trying to explain the backstories of each one... but they make changes to the backstory of Alttp which becomes OoT. then they decide they wanna make different stories so they make a sequal to OoT which is WW while forgetting that there already is one, which is Alttp then all is lost and confusing

[MrMosley]

so it looks like they are telling the stories backwards in relevance to each other, trying to explain the backstories of each one... but they make changes to the backstory of Alttp which becomes OoT. then they decide they wanna make different stories so they make a sequal to OoT which is WW while forgetting that there already is one, which is Alttp then all is lost and confusing

Yeah that's basically what they are doing. The backstory of ALttP is debatable in my opinion. Back in the day, it was definitely what OoT was based off of. But since WW has came out, it makes things questionable again.

See, whenever it was just LoZ, AoL, ALttP, LA, and OoT, it was easy to fit them together, as I previously stated. ALttP's backstory says that the Sages sealed away Ganondorf (man), because he got into the Sacred Realm and stole the Triforce. Without WW, Ganondorf would have been sealed at the end of OoT, stayed there, had the Sacred Realm transformed into the Dark World, and never escaped. The next event would have been ALttP, where Ganon is the ruler of the Dark World still. But whenever WW came out, we find out that Ganondorf actually escaped prior to ALttP. In fact, ALttP all of a sudden falls under the Child Timeline (imo), and has nothing to do with the Sages sealing Ganondorf in OoT.

So they do a lot of backtracking and fitting games into places where others once were, then we have to find a new place for those games. That's what makes the timeline so debatable, cause now we are trying to place games that already had a place, but had it stolen. So we are linking games to other games that they weren't originally supposed to be linked to.:hmm:

[Matt]

Sorry if this has already been said. But one reason for not releasing it would be that maybe they think they will make more money if they leave it up to the fans to decide. It's just a guess. I could be wrong.

[Caleb, Of Asui]

Personally, I don't believe Nintendo has a time line. Know why? It's because I don't think there is one.
Aren't those kind of the same thing? Or, rather, exactly the same thing? If there is a timeline, that means that Nintendo has it, and vice-versa. You're being redundant.

You can't say there is no timeline, though. Nintendo has specifically stated that they have a document on their computers with the timeline laid out.

[sign of table]

That's what makes the timeline so debatable Well that and games like TMC, which contain valid story information that points to both and AT placement and being the first game in the series.........

[Hayzer]

That's actually what I used to believe; Link saves Zelda from Ganon, told different ways.

But when you think about it, there was always some sort of timeline established from the beginning. You had LoZ first, then AoL was its direct sequel. Then comes ALttP, which said right on the back of the box that it was about the "predecessors of Link and Zelda", so it went way before ALttP. Then OoT was supposed to be the first story, taking place even before ALttP and at the time could be easily based on ALttP's backstory. Yet a lot of people seem to think that the whole timeline issue started with OoT, when it split. It surely made things even more confusing, but it wasn't the first instance of the timeline.

And of course the ALttP--LoZ/AoL order changed when Miyamoto put ALttP after the two originals.

And, in all honesty, the timeline would be so much easier to figure out if the FS Saga wasn't canon. I hate trying to place those three games.

Btw, I've been wondering. What exactly IN Wind Waker contradicts OoT being the Seal War in ALttP?

[MrMosley]

Btw, I've been wondering. What exactly IN Wind Waker contradicts OoT being the Seal War in ALttP?

The Seal War, in a brief description, states that a big war broke out over people trying to find the way to the SR. Ganondorf found the way there, and wished upon the Triforce. It turned it into the Dark World, that's why evil stuff started coming out of the portal, that's why it had to be "sealed". Ganon was supposed to have stayed there for all time, trapped in the SR. Which is exactly what happened, as you can see in ALttP.

Before WW, we seen Ganondorf sealed away at the end of OoT (AT). It made sense for the events of OoT to be the actual Seal War (although it contradicted many things spoken about the SW in ALttP), because there was no game where Ganon/dorf was shown to have came out of this seal. So, in OoT, Ganon is sealed. Then you play ALttP, Ganon is still in there. It made sense. WW came along, and we see that Ganon escaped at some point when there was no hero; Everything had to be flooded, etc. That's how it messed up OoT being the Seal War.

[Hayzer]

The Seal War, in a brief description, states that a big war broke out over people trying to find the way to the SR. Ganondorf found the way there, and wished upon the Triforce. It turned it into the Dark World, that's why evil stuff started coming out of the portal, that's why it had to be "sealed". Ganon was supposed to have stayed there for all time, trapped in the SR. Which is exactly what happened, as you can see in ALttP.

Before WW, we seen Ganondorf sealed away at the end of OoT (AT). It made sense for the events of OoT to be the actual Seal War (although it contradicted many things spoken about the SW in ALttP), because there was no game where Ganon/dorf was shown to have came out of this seal. So, in OoT, Ganon is sealed. Then you play ALttP, Ganon is still in there. It made sense. WW came along, and we see that Ganon escaped at some point when there was no hero; Everything had to be flooded, etc. That's how it messed up OoT being the Seal War.

But, wait...ALttP and WW are on separate timelines. Why would it still be messed up?

[MrMosley]

But, wait...ALttP and WW are on separate timelines. Why would it still be messed up?

Because back then there was only one timeline. Although I know you like to believe Miyamoto's timeline, back then (using the information from my above post), you can see that it would have made sense to structure the following games:

OoT--ALttP/LA--LoZ/AoL

OoT, Ganondorf is sealed. It is noted that the SR became the Dark World. Then much later, in ALttP, we see Ganon still in the tainted SR. It flowed a lot more simply like that. Your right though, when WW came out, that's when the actual "split" was confirmed. It messed things up a lot of ways, both by Ganon escaping the SR prematurely (against what was previously believed), and by Hyrule being flooded.

[Hayzer]

Because back then there was only one timeline. Although I know you like to believe Miyamoto's timeline, back then (using the information from my above post), you can see that it would have made sense to structure the following games:

OoT--ALttP/LA--LoZ/AoL

OoT, Ganondorf is sealed. It is noted that the SR became the Dark World. Then much later, in ALttP, we see Ganon still in the tainted SR. It flowed a lot more simply like that. Your right though, when WW came out, that's when the actual "split" was confirmed. It messed things up a lot of ways, both by Ganon escaping the SR prematurely (against what was previously believed), and by Hyrule being flooded.

I see what you mean now. So basically Ganon needs to get sealed again for the BS of ALttP to make sense in the modern timeline. So that means that TP threw another wrench into the works too. Man, I'm so confused right now...

[Steve]

I personally hope they don't.

They tell us and I'm out of one of my favorite hobbies...

This is true, see more than half the fun is speculating and debating over the placements of the games. If Nintendo just tells us, there's nothing to debate over, and Nintendo looses a majority of its Zelda fanbase. So in other words, it'd ruin the fun, and Nintendo's profits.

[MrMosley]

I see what you mean now. So basically Ganon needs to get sealed again for the BS of ALttP to make sense in the modern timeline. So that means that TP threw another wrench into the works too. Man, I'm so confused right now...

Well TP didn't do anything terribly bad to the Timeline actually. See back when MM was released, I'm sure there were people thinking about how Link defeated Ganondorf in the future, and the fact that Ganondorf would be running around still, and how if Link left for Termina he wouldn't be there to stop him. MM created more problems that TP actually fixed. Well, WW fixed, anyway, by creating the split. TP basically shows us that nothing that was supposed to happen as far as Ganondorf taking over Hyrule happened.

The fact is, OoT as the SW doesn't make a lot of sense anymore because it contradicts too many things. Some people still believe OoT is still the SW, but as noted, there are big and small things that contribute to this not working out right. You basically have to believe that Ganondorf entered the SR again at some point, which would be the point where the SW took place. Personally, I believe it was sometime after either TP, or after FSA. There are people who also believe FSA is the SW.

Like, for example, ALttP's BS of the SW tells that no one knew of the Triforce's whereabouts. Then, people began looking for it. They got aggressive in their search, and a war broke out. Eventually, Ganondorf (man/human), found the entrance to the SR and wished on the Triforce, then was sealed in there. This sets up the events of ALttP perfectly.

Now when you look at OoT, part of this happened, and part didn't. Apparently during OoT, no one knew how to get to the SR. Ganondorf eventually found out, entered, and wished on the Triforce. Problem is, he did not get sealed in there at that point. ALttP specifically stated that Ganon went in and did not come back out. That contradicts OoT's tale. Also, there was no big war mentioned during OoT, only the battle at the end. There is a fallen soldier in Hyrule Market who says something, but they hardly touch on any kind of full scale war. And another thing, as mentioned above, Ganondorf's seal was broken for WW, plus the flood, meaning ALttP can't come on the AT.

So, in order to have the SW still make any sense at all, you have to place it first on the CT, and you have to find a time where Ganondorf was still a man, a time where you could fit no one knowing how to get to the SR, and a time when Ganon was sealed away in the SR for good until the events of ALttP. According to myself, these events would fit nicely after TP, but then you have to consider FSA also talks about Ganondorf (man) going to look for the Trident of Power, then at the end of that game you see him transformed into Ganon by those means, and ultimately sealed within the Four Sword. That puts a big hole in the SW story also because we were originally told that Ganondorf became Ganon because he entered the SR, wished on the Triforce, turned it into the Dark World, and was transformed himself along with the realm and all its inhabitants (ALttP's BS).

So, in my opinion, once you rule out all of these things that don't make sense, you have to put the SW some time after FSA. You have to make up the story that Ganon broke out of the Four Sword, reverted back to his human self, found a way to the SR, wished on the Triforce, transformed into Ganon permanently, and was sealed in there. Because you cannot have ALttP come before FSA, meaning you can't have the SW come before FSA. And FSA can't be the events of the SW because Ganondorf isn't looking for the Triforce, nor does he find the Triforce.

Hope that makes some sense.

[Hayzer]

Well TP didn't do anything terribly bad to the Timeline actually. See back when MM was released, I'm sure there were people thinking about how Link defeated Ganondorf in the future, and the fact that Ganondorf would be running around still, and how if Link left for Termina he wouldn't be there to stop him. MM created more problems that TP actually fixed. Well, WW fixed, anyway, by creating the split. TP basically shows us that nothing that was supposed to happen as far as Ganondorf taking over Hyrule happened.

The fact is, OoT as the SW doesn't make a lot of sense anymore because it contradicts too many things. Some people still believe OoT is still the SW, but as noted, there are big and small things that contribute to this not working out right. You basically have to believe that Ganondorf entered the SR again at some point, which would be the point where the SW took place. Personally, I believe it was sometime after either TP, or after FSA. There are people who also believe FSA is the SW.

Like, for example, ALttP's BS of the SW tells that no one knew of the Triforce's whereabouts. Then, people began looking for it. They got aggressive in their search, and a war broke out. Eventually, Ganondorf (man/human), found the entrance to the SR and wished on the Triforce, then was sealed in there. This sets up the events of ALttP perfectly.

Now when you look at OoT, part of this happened, and part didn't. Apparently during OoT, no one knew how to get to the SR. Ganondorf eventually found out, entered, and wished on the Triforce. Problem is, he did not get sealed in there at that point. ALttP specifically stated that Ganon went in and did not come back out. That contradicts OoT's tale. Also, there was no big war mentioned during OoT, only the battle at the end. There is a fallen soldier in Hyrule Market who says something, but they hardly touch on any kind of full scale war. And another thing, as mentioned above, Ganondorf's seal was broken for WW, plus the flood, meaning ALttP can't come on the AT.

So, in order to have the SW still make any sense at all, you have to place it first on the CT, and you have to find a time where Ganondorf was still a man, a time where you could fit no one knowing how to get to the SR, and a time when Ganon was sealed away in the SR for good until the events of ALttP. According to myself, these events would fit nicely after TP, but then you have to consider FSA also talks about Ganondorf (man) going to look for the Trident of Power, then at the end of that game you see him transformed into Ganon by those means, and ultimately sealed within the Four Sword. That puts a big hole in the SW story also because we were originally told that Ganondorf became Ganon because he entered the SR, wished on the Triforce, turned it into the Dark World, and was transformed himself along with the realm and all its inhabitants (ALttP's BS).

So, in my opinion, once you rule out all of these things that don't make sense, you have to put the SW some time after FSA. You have to make up the story that Ganon broke out of the Four Sword, reverted back to his human self, found a way to the SR, wished on the Triforce, transformed into Ganon permanently, and was sealed in there. Because you cannot have ALttP come before FSA, meaning you can't have the SW come before FSA. And FSA can't be the events of the SW because Ganondorf isn't looking for the Triforce, nor does he find the Triforce.

Hope that makes some sense.

Wow...now that I know all that, I'm really hoping that either ST or ZXV sheds some light on this. In actuality, ALttP could come on the AT, but only if ST mentions something about the SW at the end. And I'm still standing on my theories for ZXV. It's either:

a) the figure is Navi and this takes place years after MM when Link is 20-or-so
b) the figure is the MS and it takes place before OoT
c) the figure is the MS and takes place somewhere around ALttP

I'm going to have to delve into my timeline once again...

[Brandikins]

I don't think they would ever have an original timeline. It would be too hard for nintendo to make up.

[Hayzer]

I don't think they would ever have an original timeline. It would be too hard for nintendo to make up.

Too bad that they've stated that there is one then, huh?

[Clucluclu]

That would probably be the worst thing Nintendo could to Zelda. They know that. That is why.

[Skull_Kid]

That would probably be the worst thing Nintendo could to Zelda. They know that. That is why.

that's so true, part of what keeps the Zelda communities alive are timeline discussions.
We see that, we like it that way.

[Zarom]

It would really suck if they give the timeline. It's so cool to come up with all kinds of different theories and to discuss about that. If they give it, there would not be anymore mysteries about it... :(:(:(

[Hylian Knight]

Personally i would just like Nintendo to definatly say that their is a timeline or split timeline but not say the order of the timeline confirming that would still leave speculation to the order of the timeline if their truly is one.

Me too except for the old crappy CDI games which I personally don't consider true LoZ Titles.

[FirevsIce]

It's Nintendo. They don't need a reason. They think as long as we get SS and OoT 3DS we'll be happy and satisfied:lol:... too bad we're not!:mad:

[PhantomTriforce]

If they revealed the timeline, then the part of that zelda theory would be lost for us. And people would be finding faults with it all the time.

[legnase]

Well let’s say that you have a recipe for something and whatever the recipe is for, it makes you millions and billions of dollars. Are you going to tell the world your recipe? No you’re going to keep it to yourself so you can continue to make millions and billions of dollars. Replace the recipe with the Zelda timeline and replace yourself with Nintendo and you have your answer.

[linebeck]

it leaves fans intrested in the games.